“Who was on the line just now?”
“It was the Global Business team assistant’s call!”
‘Loud voice… keep speaking loudly…’
Winter murmured that mantra to himself, determined never to let his volume drop.
“In Seongje’s team?”
“Yes.”
“What was it about?”
“They wanted to change the meeting time.”
“And?”
“I… declined.”
Only then did Winter’s heart pound. He realized he’d made a major decision without consulting Juhan. Of course he should have reported it and followed orders. Biting the inside of his lip, he braced himself for a reprimand.
“Well? Good. From now on, you don’t need to cater to that bastard’s requests. Just tell him no.”
Unexpected praise. Ah, he’d forgotten how much Juhan loathed In Seongje.
“By the way, Secretary Cha.”
“Yes?”
“Why is your desk in that corner?”
“My desk… what about it?”
Winter prided himself on tidiness—each morning he’d clean and organize before starting any work. His workspace always looked immaculate. Even now it didn’t appear messy.
“There are empty desks all around. Why sit way over there?”
“Oh….”
His desk was in the farthest corner—the same spot he’d occupied since his first day. Juhan’s secretariat was large enough to hold eight desks, plus a pantry and lounge, because Juhan was a candidate for company heir.
At one point it had been full of staff, but now even the chief secretary’s station and the desks around it lay vacant.
“If someone saw this, they’d think you’re eating cortesy rice. Move to a better spot.”
“Yes?”
Juhan pointed to the chief secretary’s desk—twice the width of an ordinary desk, the true seat of honor.
“But that’s the chief secretary’s seat.”
“Does it have someone’s name on it? From today on, it’s yours.”
“But….”
“Tsk.”
The moment Winter tried to protest, Juhan’s face hardened. He hated pointless objections.
“Then start acting as chief secretary. That solves it, right?”
Those words felt like a death sentence.
“……Act as chief secretary?”
When Winter first appeared in the Falling Blossoms world, six secretaries served in the office. One by one, those who held the chief secretary title disappeared—never a word of resignation. What happened to them was anyone’s guess.
And now he was to occupy that perilous seat? Winter instinctively heard it as a threat: “You’ll be next.”
‘I never meant to get involved in the slush fund case…!’
Regret washed over him again.
“You’re objecting?”
“Ah, I’m sorry! It’s just so unexpected… How could I possibly serve as chief secretary?”
“So you’re refusing?”
“This isn’t about liking or disliking—it’s about whether I’m capable or not. I honestly don’t think I’m qualified….”
Winter had no ambition for advancement. A raise or recognition was nice, but he didn’t want responsibilities beyond his abilities. A chief secretary must shoulder all matters in the office; he lacked that confidence.
“What a nuisance.”
Winter braced for catastrophe. He’d dared to complain to Juhan—surely he’d pay for it. Yet he’d rather accept the worst than assume that role.
Juhan stared at him silently. Winter averted his eyes, rolling them anxiously.
“Then you’ll be acting chief secretary.”
“Acting?”
“Yes. Leave the chief secretary post officially vacant. You’ll serve in an acting capacity. With no other team members, it makes no difference.”
“Oh….”
Winter pondered. Acting chief secretary—he could handle the duties temporarily. A more experienced secretary would arrive soon, and he’d be relieved of the role.
A curious warmth swelled within him: Juhan had offered a compromise.
‘He didn’t even get angry….’
Perhaps he wasn’t as terrifying as Winter had imagined.
“Very well.”
“Then move to your new desk.”
“R-right…!”
“Enough.”
No—Juhan really could kill with a look. His gaze sliced like a blade, warning Winter to obey. Instinctively, Winter fell silent.
“I’ll move immediately!”
And so Winter settled into the largest, sunlit desk in the office.
As noted, In Seongje is the alpha protagonist of Falling Blossoms. His omega partner has yet to appear, and in the end he claims the company and all its spoils.
He isn’t purely virtuous, of course. Though not as ruthless as In Juhan, Seongje has his own cruel edges. Compared to the characters of Falling Blossoms, who combine viciousness with mercy, Seongje is almost normal. Still, nine times out of ten his tormentor is Juhan. At least that’s how the novel portrays it.
‘In Seongje….’
Winter, belatedly, felt curiosity stir. Until now he’d only known Seongje’s face from a distant description—this was the first time seeing him in person. Falling Blossoms describes him as so handsome passersby do a double-take; Winter felt a flicker of anticipation.
“The new product launch will focus on Mercosur, testing a fresh sales network. Our goal is meaningful share in the mid-tier market.”
The man presenting was In Seongje. His energetic voice and rolled-up sleeves bespoke freedom. Aside from height, he bore no resemblance to Juhan—yet he was undeniably handsome.
If Juhan was darkness, Seongje was light; if Juhan was winter, Seongje was summer. The man pleased the eye.
“Mmm, very good. I have a feeling this will succeed! Ha ha ha! I’m eagerly waiting, Team Leader In!”
One division head’s praise rang through the conference room—but immediately afterward came a single, icy “Ha.” The jovial atmosphere froze.
“In Mercosur, the mid-tier market is already dominated by Chinese firms. How do you plan to seize meaningful share? Do you really believe a new sales network alone can achieve that, Team Leader In?”
It was In Juhan. His presence felt a hundred times colder and sharper than usual.
“We can counter with brand trust and after-sales service. This network won’t merely sell product—it will win customers back as our ‘fans.’”
“Don’t chase dreams—face reality. China’s offline distribution and reseller incentives are already systematized. Even if we build a new network, can we penetrate as quickly and deeply? With just one new model?”
“…….”
Silence reigned. Seongje’s argument was reasonable, but he faced the immovable wall of Juhan. Especially in a professional clash like this, overcoming him was beyond Seongje’s reach.
“Refocus on Eastern Europe and India. Draft a new, realistic plan—none of these wishful proposals. Let’s end this meeting.”
With Juhan’s frosty command, the meeting adjourned. No one dared speak. Just as breathing felt laborious, Seongje’s spirited voice broke the tension.
“I’ll prepare it again!”
He responded cheerfully, a hint of a smile on his face—while Juhan’s expression only grew icier. As attendees carefully slid chairs back and filed out, Winter remained seated, awaiting alone. A long shadow fell across his desk.
“Secretary Cha Gyeoul?”
The lively voice he’d heard moments ago was close now. Winter looked up to find In Seongje smiling and extending his hand.
‘This is insane… how can someone be this handsome?’
He forgot even to blink as his gaze locked on Seongje’s face.